What do Papa Jo Jones, Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Max Roach, Tony Williams, Steve Gadd, Peter Erskine, Neil Peart, Steve Smith, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dennis Chambers, Dave Weckl, Ed Shaughnessy, Chad Smith and pretty much every other famous drummer have in common? The answer is Lennie DiMuzio.



Whether it was opening night for Max Roach at the Blue Note, backstage with Roy Haynes at the Village Vanguard, serving as a pallbearer at Gene Krupa's funeral, holding Buddy's hand the night before he died, or helping up-and-coming young drummers find their sound, Lennie DiMuzio was there as the ultimate 'insider’s insider'.



Lennie DiMuzio has worked with and selected cymbals for the greatest drummers of all time and of all genres. He’s also selected cymbals for the world’s finest symphony orchestras, orchestral percussionists, music educators, and top drum corps.



Lennie DiMuzio's first drumset was homemade and consisted of a washboard with a couple of wooden braces at the bottom, two cookie pans on the side, pie plates as slam cymbals, along with a couple of bicycle horns—sort of a Spike Jones drumset. Recalls Lennie: "Man, I could really wail on that set."



Lennie DiMuzio, a Boston area drummer, came to work for Zildjian in the 1960s. Initially a cymbal tester, he later became director of artist relations. Lennie was right-hand man to the company’s patricarch Armand Zildjian for 42 years. Today he continues his work with Sabian, servicing today’s top pros and nurturing rising young stars.